Free the Writer Within

Write Down the Bones Deck to Free the Writer Within — This is my wish for you: that you take these cards, grab the topic on one side and write, write, write. Then flip to the other side of the card and take note.

I’ve always used the word topic instead of prompt. Prompt is the starting place, but topic indicates more the idea of plunging in and immersing. Natalie Goldberg

Making a list

It is not like playing whist

how is this entertaining

or something for explaining

How is this something to assist

in my writing, I want to ask

But go ahead Denise, do the task.

What is silent? Make a list. Let’s push it. See if you can list at least thirty silent objects and feel each one’s deep quiet. Natalie Goldberg

My list (is silent and I have 30 altogether in bold)

Snowfall is filling my yard and field, no more green

Ice is silent when it is not crashing from out of a machine

Lighthouses are quiet, except the light beam can appear to scream

Early mornings are silent, then sunrise, and birds wake from their dream

Noise-canceling headphones appear silent, but can they cancel all noise

Turtles are silent. I hear no noise, and then there are stuffed turtle toys

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Silent is the house for old St. Nick

Silent is the pictures on the wall

Silent is the boys who are hiding in the thick

Silent is the office just down the hall

Silent is the Christmas tree and bumble bee

in the big old barn down the way in the honey tree

~~

My reading glasses help me to see so much and yet

they are no help when it comes to driving, and I’ll bet

I can run into something on the road, like someone's pet

Okay, I didn’t hit it. I am talking about silent pets.

Someone told me about them when I was visiting the vets.

reptiles, rodents, crustaceans, and rabbits.

~~

Butter melting on toast

Three olives in a bowl

Have you noticed: the door is mostly silent. Go ahead, let’s bow to the door. Forget the refrigerator and stove — can’t you feel the yearning of heat for cold?

In Zen, even a chair, a street curb, a cup, your jacket are sentient beings. Treat them kindly, with respect and dignity. Look around… see how much more hallowed the world can be. Natalie Goldberg

Butter melting on toast is making me hungry

That is what I get for writing right before breakfast

Then there are only three olives in a bowl, in this country

is that something anyone would ever do? Put their last

three olives in a bowl for company, or maybe it’s for one person

Yes, then that makes sense. I suppose some could have an aversion

to olives. Okay, enough about olives. Olives aren’t a good breakfast food.

Or are they good with eggs? Anyone know? It may depend on your mood.

Okay, I am beginning to feel free to be me, the writer within!

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First published by Mercury Press on medium.com